stomach

What it means

1. countableuncountableAn organ in animals that stores food in the process of digestion.

   Our stomachs and livers have an enzyme known as alcohol dehydrogenase that breaks down ethanol to make it less toxic for our bodies, said Atlanta gastroenterologist Dr. Preston Stewart.

   2012 September 26, Jacque Wilson, “Experts: Alcohol enemas ‘extremely dangerous’”, in CNN

   1 more example

   A new study suggests people taking popular injected medications for weight loss, including Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda and Victoza, may be at higher risk for serious digestive problems such as stomach paralysis, pancreatitis, and bowel obstructions, compared with those taking other types of weight loss medications.

   2023 October 5, Brenda Goodman, “Researchers link popular weight loss drugs to serious digestive problems for ‘hundreds of thousands’ worldwide”, in CNN

2. countableinformaluncountableThe belly.

   Why did you hit me in the stomach?

   Synonyms: belly, abdomen, tummy, bouk, gut, guts, maw

3. obsoleteuncountablePride, haughtiness.

   He was a man / Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking / Himself with princes;

   c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act HENRY 8, scene iv], page ii, line 34

   2 more examples

   Sterne was his looke, and full of stomacke vaine, / His portaunce terrible, and stature tall […]

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC

   This sort of crying[…] proceeding from pride, obstinacy, and stomach, the will, where the fault lies, must be bent.

   1693, [John Locke], “§108”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], →OCLC

In a sentence

Our stomachs and livers have an enzyme known as alcohol dehydrogenase that breaks down ethanol to make it less toxic for our bodies, said Atlanta gastroenterologist Dr. Preston Stewart.

2012 September 26, Jacque Wilson, “Experts: Alcohol enemas ‘extremely dangerous’”, in CNN

Where it comes from

1. Ancient Greekστόμαχος
2. Latinstomachus
3. Old Frenchestomac
4. Middle Englishstomak
5. Englishstomach

From Middle English stomak, from Old French estomac, from Latin stomachus, from Ancient Greek στόμαχος (stómakhos), from στόμα (stóma, “mouth”). Partially displaced native Old English maga, whence Modern English maw.